Asheville area business people

? Chad McKinney, principal agent at McKinney Insurance Services, was named a 2012 Nationwide Insurance Presidents Award recipient, one of Nationwide's highest levels of recognition. "Nationwide Insurance Co.'s Presidents Award recognizes the top 3-5 percent of agents countrywide for their excellence in multiline production," said Lori Wright, Asheville district sales manager. "Chad continues his father Doug's legacy in Nationwide's Asheville district as a company leader, providing superior 'On Your Side' service to our members." McKinney Insurance Services has been recognized with the Presidents Award for 32 years. This year marks the first year Chad McKinney has been awarded the distinction after taking on the role as principal agent in January 2012.

? John S. "Jack" Stevens, of Asheville, will be inducted into the North Carolina Bar Association's General Practice Hall of Fame at the group's annual meeting on Thursday. He will be the only attorney from Western North Carolina honored out of six inductees. Stevens began his law practice in 1961 in Asheville. In 1986, his firm merged with another Asheville firm to become Roberts & Stevens.

For 42 years of practice, he has been designated as an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell. He has also been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Business North Carolina's Legal Elite and North Carolina Super Lawyers. Stevens received the North Carolina Bar Association/28th Judicial District Bar Association Centennial Award in 2008 for outstanding service which benefits his local community. Stevens served four terms in the N.C. General Assembly (1969-75).

Stevens is a member of the board of directors of the North Carolina Foundation for Advanced Health Programs, the N.C. Humanities Council, and the N.C. Parks and Recreation Authority. Previously he has served on the board of directors of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Cherokee Indian Hospital, the Governor's Task Force for Safe Roads, Mission-St. Joseph Health Systems, UNC Healthcare System and UNC Chapel Hill as a former board of trustees, board of visitors and life member. Jack is also a member of the International Association for Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises.

? Allstate agency owner Terry Gahagan of The Cheek Insurance Group has been designated an Allstate Premier Agency for 2013. The designation is bestowed upon fewer than 38 percent of Allstate's nearly 10,000 agency owners across the country. This designation was presented to Gahagan for his outstanding performance and commitment to putting customers at the center of his agency's work. Cheek Insurance Group is at 1070 Tunnel Road, Suite 20, Asheville, and can be reached at 298-4648.

? The Optimist Club of North Buncombe honored Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan with the group's Law Enforcement Award in May. The award recognizes "distinguished and dedicated service" and "advancing respect for the law," which are core objectives of Optimist International.

? Tax attorney Ryan W. Coffield hasjoined The Van Winkle Law Firm's business practice group. His practice focuses on business and nonprofit tax matters, including transactions, reorganizations and controversies.